Dangers and Annoyances, and Opportunities: the Contemporary Communications Environment
WEBINAR PANEL DISCUSSION
Rationale
The ubiquity of the internet and the rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) have transformed the media and communications landscape in ways that have rendered it unrecognizable within the span of a few years. This has not only changed the way people communicate and consume information, but has also changed the relationship between government and citizens, especially in terms of diplomacy.
Social media and other forms of internet-related technology have narrowed the gap between diplomats and the public, creating a relatively equal platform for engagement. However, while new and emerging technologies provide endless opportunities for diplomats and public diplomacy practitioners, the same developments have also given rise to critical issues and challenges that must be addressed and overcome in order to rise above the cacophony of information and misinformation.
This webinar takes a deep dive into the issues and challenges public diplomacy practitioners face in a rapidly evolving media and communications environment and explores new, innovative ways diplomats can address these issues and overcome these challenges. Finally, the discussions will attempt to identify the new skills 21st century diplomats need to master in order to carry out the critical task of making the information environment a safe and trusted place for diverse ideas to thrive.
The webinar panel discussion is the culminating activity of our month-long launch event for the ASEF Public Diplomacy Handbook Second Edition: Communicating with Purpose and Value (the Handbook) through the ASEFPDT Lecture Series & Peer-to-Peer Programme. The webinar extends the discourse in the Handbook’s final chapter.
Objectives
- To foster a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped and transformed today’s media and communications environment and how these, in turn, have changed the conduct of public diplomacy.
- To identify the issues and challenges public diplomacy practitioners face in the ‘new normal.’
- To equip public diplomacy practitioners with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate a rapidly changing media and communications landscape.
Questions that the webinar attempts to answer
- What are the critical issues and challenges facing public diplomacy practitioners in the rapidly evolving media and communications environment?
- What is “information disorder” and how can diplomacy support efforts to address it?
- What skills do diplomats need to acquire in order to carry out the critical task of making the information environment a safe and trusted place?
Speakers
- Dr Damien SPRY is a lecturer in media and communications at the University of South Australia. His research focusses on digital influence campaigns in international contexts, including digital diplomacy, strategic communications and interference campaigns, and the impact of information disorder (misinformation, disinformation and mal-information) on international relations.
- Dr James PAMMENT is Associate Professor in Strategic Communication at Lund University, Sweden and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Place Branding and Public Diplomacy. His research focusses on how states influence one another using strategic communication. He has consulted and trained for a variety of countries, international organisations, and businesses. He was a nonresident fellow in the Technology and International Affairs Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Moderator
Stacy Danika Alcantara-Garcia is an alumna of the ASEF Public Diplomacy Training Program. Throughout most of her career in the foreign service, she has been actively involved in public diplomacy. This year, she served as guest lecturer on digital public diplomacy (e-diplomacy) with DiploFoundation. Following her assignment in London, she is back in Manila as Acting Director at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations.
Target participants
Diplomats and civil servants engaged in public communications; students and academe (in the field of international relations/diplomacy or policy/political science); anyone who is interested in or curious about the contemporary communications environment.
Platform
Zoom and YouTube Live Stream
Download the latest edition of the ASEF Public Diplomacy Handbook here.
